This blog is a place for us to give our Analysis and Opinions on important topics related to civics, government and politics.
Analysis is a clinical interpretation of items, issues, ideas, or events and an explanation of their impact on the future (i.e. something you think is going to happen).
Opinion is composed of your reactions, feelings, and beliefs on items, issues, ideas or events (i.e. something you would like to happen). Even though they are your opinions, they should be based in fact.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Please take the survey below. If you have any "other" topics you think should have been included, post them to the blog.

Anonymity is overrated, so please include your name and hour. This counts as your post for this week, but feel free to post something to the blog anyway. Again, if you think there is something missing from the survey, feel free to communicate it here. Your responses may or may not change or add parts to the class, but I'm interested in your feedback either way. Obviously, a large part of our charge is to learn government and politics AND to get ready for an AP Exam in May. That can't change, but maybe some input on the "delivery method" will make it more meaningful or significant for you (or maybe it's perfect right now)!

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/"WASHINGTON (CNN) — Is Mike Huckabee the new Howard Dean? That's what one prominent conservative thinks, and he's warning his fellow Republicans not to nominate the former Arkansas governor.Rich Lowry, an editor of the conservative publication the National Review (which endorsed rival Mitt Romney this week), writes on the Republican Web site Townhall.com Friday that nominating Huckabee would amount to "an act of suicide" for the party."Like Dean, Huckabee is an under-vetted former governor who is manifestly unprepared to be president of the United States," Lowry writes. "Like Dean, he is rising toward the top of polls in a crowded field based on his appeal to a particular niche of his party.""As with Dean, his vulnerabilities in a general election are so screamingly obvious that it's hard to believe that primary voters, once they focus seriously on their choice, will nominate him," he adds.Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, has gained ground in several key primary states largely due to his appeal to Republican evangelical voters. Recent polls have suggested he now holds a double-digit lead over Romney in Iowa, and is in front of Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson in South Carolina.And in the latest sign Huckabee's campaign is gaining serious momentum, veteran GOP strategist Ed Rollins — the architect of Ronald Reagan's 1984 landslide re-election victory — has signed on to help manage the operation.Not so fast, says Lowry. According to the conservative commentator, nominating a Baptist minister would turn one of the party's assets — its message of social conservatism — into a liability."[A] Baptist pastor running on his religiosity would be rather overdoing it," he wrote. "Social conservatism has to be part of the Republican message, but it can't be the message in its entirety."In response to Lowry's column, campaign manager Chip Saltsman defended Huckabee's electability and record as governor."Rich Lowry should know that four of the past five U.S. presidents have been governors, and all but Ronald Reagan were from the South," Saltsman said. "Mike Huckabee's candidacy is picking up steam because his optimistic, conservative message is resonating with voters who are looking for a leader with vision and experience. He has been elected four times for statewide office, twice as governor, in a Democratic-state because he places a premium on results, and that's what the American people are looking for."– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney"

5 comments:

First of all, I took the survey. I didn't get any results so I'm guessing that they are sent directly to you. I did take it though.

Secondly, I was surfing CNN.com and I saw that article. I just thought it was interesting especially because we talked about Howard Dean for a little bit in AP Gov or in Political Science Club. I can't remember which.

Thirdly, I have some feelings about the class. I strongly believe the class should be more focused on politics. I love current events, especially the Presidential election. I understand we need to learn about the government basics as well and you are preparing us for the AP test. But how I see it, the tests we take are directly from the book. That book is what prepares us for the AP test. I don't think it should be like that, but I assume that's just how it is. Like I said before, I think that politics should definitely play a bigger role. I enjoy the polls, the debates, the news, and I feel that's more of what the class should be like.

I think that survey we already basically try and do all of it. But talking to megan b. she said that we are moving way fast compared to them last year, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. She also said that most of them past. But I just thought I'd mention that.

Okay, on the survey I said I was from 4th hour, I don't know why I did that. I meant 6th hour. I also agree with John, I think we should talk more about politics that have to do with the current issues, as well as the government basics. Then I would enjoy the class even more. :)

Okay. I'm a tad bit confused. We have a vocab quiz tomorrow, and a test. I know that much.Are we quizzing on those cases tomorrow too? Or is that something completely different. Until I receive a response, I'll just study everything. Someone please respond? Here...or maybe email me?